Rudy Project, the Italian manufacturer of award-winning sunglasses, helmets, goggles, prescription eyewear and triathlon bags, has announced a partnership with Heather Jackson – a multiple IRONMAN champion and top American female finisher from the 2015 IRONMAN World Championships.
“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome Heather to the Rudy Project family in 2016 as a brand ambassador,” said Paul Craig, President and Co-Founder of Rudy Project North America. “She’s an incredible athlete, a passionate force in the sport of triathlon, and she is a one of a kind maverick, not to mention hard to miss on any race course with those iconic tattoos and smile.
“Watching her 2015 Kona finish, you could see first-hand her pure, raw emotion and joy. She is exactly the type of athlete we want representing Rudy. All of us at Rudy Project will be cheering her on this season, which should be her best ever.”
Born and raised in Exeter, New Hampshire, Heather Jackson gained her competitive spirit playing hockey from a young age, which eventually led her to earn a spot on Princeton’s Division I women’s team for four years. In 2007, her focus shifted from ice hockey to triathlon after competing in a few local races and realizing she had some real potential in the sport.
Heather’s first professional win was at the 2012 Wildflower Triathlon, which she has since won two more times. Her top accolades include a 5th place at the 2015 IRONMAN World Championship (top American female finisher), 2013 Escape from Alcatraz Champion, IRONMAN Coeur D’Alene Champion, and two-time IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside Champion.
2016 is a big year for Heather, as she will make her season debut in April as the defending champion at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside; and pending qualification, will head back to Kona this October.
“Every training session I do now is always focused on Kona,” Heather said. “I caught the bug this past October and I really want to improve on my 5th place. I’m also really excited to race IRONMAN Lake Placid this summer. It hasn’t been a pro race in a few years and besides Kona, it’s really the only full distance IRONMAN that excites me.
“I spent my summers in high school and college training for ice hockey at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid, so it will be super cool to get back there for triathlon…and visit the rink!”
Heather will utilize multiple Rudy Project products on and off the race course this season, including her favourite Tralyx performance sunglasses and Transition 46 gear bag.
“I’m loving my Tralyx glasses,” she added. “The lenses are super easy to switch around on different colour combos, so I can always match my kits. The new Airstorm helmet is super light, comfortable and so easy to adjust, and I couldn’t believe the tri bag I received! That bag has literally thought of every possible thing you will need for a tri. There is a pocket or pouch or zipped area for everything you can think of, including the individual bags within the bag for your different transition items!”
Designed and crafted in Italy since 1985, Rudy Project has grown quickly as a premier brand throughout North America. Rudy helmets were recognized as the number one most worn aero / time-trial brand at the IRONMAN World Championships Presented by GoPro in Kona, Hawaii for the last four consecutive years, and have been designated the Official Helmet of IRONMAN for North America. Rudy Project aims to offer ‘unparalleled customer service backed by a Lifetime Replacement Lens Guarantee and an industry-leading three-year frame warranty.’
